BANGALORE, Oct 13: The 'escalating' atrocities against Dalits in the
country
despite numerous
rules and regulations reflect that the concept of social justice has
still
remained a dream, regretted, Mr Srinivasa Prasad, Union Minister of
State
for Food and Civil Supplies.

"More organised and concerted efforts are the only solution to check
atrocities on Dalits," he opined while participating at the silver
jubilee
celebrations of Karnataka Dalit Sagharsh Samithi (DSS) held here today.
Mr Prasad called upon DSS activists and leaders to focus only on the
well-being of Dalits and suggested them to abstain from politics. "The
leaders of the organisation should never be obligated to any political
party. Because, it corrupts the spirit of the struggle," he warned.
Recalling the turmoil in the organisation during 1985, he said "A
political
decision taken at that time changed the direction and focus of DSS".

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council K H Srinivas
stressed
the need for the rise in education levels of Dalits towards enjoying
the
rights provided by the Constitution.

Legislative Council Deputy Chairman David Simeon appealed to both the
Centre
and State governments to fill up the existing backlog posts reserved
for
dalits. A book titled "Horatada Maha Prabandha" written by N Murthy was
released on the occasion.

Speaking after inaugurating a symposium on 'Ruling governments - the
aim of
the constitution and increased atrocities on dalits'' organised on the
occasion, State Finance Commission Chairman T N Narasimha Murthy opined
that
there is a need to change the laws dealing with atrocities on Dalits.

"Dalits should gain political power to achieve their dream of social
justice," he added.
Mr Murthy also called upon the State government to constitute a special
court to try the accused persons involved in the naked parading of a
Dalit
woman in Bellary district. Justice M Ramakrishna and Bangalore
University
Vice-chancellor Dr K Siddappa participated in the symposium.